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My last blog post showed how my special friend Wally passed away too soon. The post also mentions that Wally would tell all of us to get out and enjoy the outdoors, especially on our bikes. I’ve been doing that, but in these strange times, I wanted to do more. I took an idea from Wally and led a bike ride.

The pictures show smiles that are similar to past pictures but this time, the smiles went deeper. I should add that I posted these same pictures on Facebook, but the pictures alone weren’t enough. I had to write more, which is where this blog post came from.

I was a little worried about leading a ride during these strange times. I didn’t want anyone to get sick from my ride, but we kept out distance and had a great ride, yet again.

Click any picture to see larger versions.

I’m introducing the ride, with plenty of distance.

We started in the burbs, but it felt great to be on the road again, after a winter with few long rides.

It felt even better to get into the country.

Relaxing during a break while waiting for someone who sadly had a flat.

Back on the road, loving the sun.

This is my friend Jody. We cycle together a lot, and no ride with her is complete without Jody asking for a picture in a fun place.

Here’s our entire group, sans leader since he’s taking the picture.

We had to wait for a train, but even that was good, check out Jody in her “bandit outfit.”

Here’s a closer view of Jody’s Bandit look.

Any ride I lead will probably have surprises, like walking our bikes for a bit. But the result was getting into Lake Elmo Regional Park.

Loved these pines.

Before the ride, I thought it would keep me upbeat for a while, but the next day, I was surprised at how my mood wandered down, not too low but more than expected. It didn’t help that the next day was grey. Other friends sent me texts saying the same, due to the strange time we live in.

This reminds me of my “health issue.” When it first showed up, the new emotions were tough partly because they were new. At the moment, the most important lesson for me is that these strange times also have new emotions to sort out, which will be tougher than before, but we’ll get through it. We just need to figure out our own ways to get passed the new tough times.

Writing in this blog is one of my ways. Another is working on my book about cycling across the US, but I also need to make more effort to keep in touch with family and friends. In that case, you may be hearing from me a bit more than before, and if you’d like to send me something, I’d enjoy it, either a reply here or whatever feels right.

And of course, another way I stay upbeat is following Wally’s example. Part of that is leading more bike rides, which you’ll see here.